Water Safety in West Virginia

Much of West Virginia's water is moving water. Wear a life jacket any time you're on, in or near a river, and never mix alcohol with the water. On the New River, the National Park Service says most people who drown didn't plan on being in the water, and it notes that about half of boating and swimming deaths involve alcohol.

West Virginia drowning and boating numbers

Nearly 80%

• Drowning: CDC puts West Virginia's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.36 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), above the U.S. rate of 1.31.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 15 reportable recreational boating incidents in West Virginia in 2024, with 6 deaths and 8 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 5 in 2020, 1 in 2021, 3 in 2022, 2 in 2023 and 6 in 2024.
• State finding: the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) says most boating fatalities are the result of a boat capsizing or passenger falling overboard (opens in a new tab), and nearly 80% of those who died were not wearing a life jacket.

CDC counts drowning deaths of residents; the Coast Guard counts boating incidents. See our West Virginia data page.

West Virginia's waters

WVDNR counts over 2,000 miles of navigable, fishable streams (opens in a new tab) covering more than 19,000 surface acres, plus 21 lakes over 100 acres, 41 small impoundments and 30 ponds. The state has 11 approved water trails for paddlers. Most of this water is open to public boating, and much of it is moving water.

The New River

At New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the Park Service warns: the New River is a high volume river with swift currents, deep holes, and a rocky bottom (opens in a new tab). Water levels change daily, so a spot that seems safe today may not be tomorrow. The park's reminders:

• Everyone should wear a life jacket for any river activity. Most drownings in the New River involve people who didn't plan on being in the water (opens in a new tab).
• Don't leave children unattended. They often don't recognize danger, and young children can drown in fairly shallow water.
• The park notes that approximately half of all boating and swimming deaths involve alcohol. Alcohol and river activities don't mix.
• Watch for drop-offs, strong currents and hydraulics (undertows) all along the river.
• In strong wind or lightning, get away from the river and find shelter.

Read river safety, alcohol and swimming and, for dams and hydraulics, low-head dams.

West Virginia boating rules

From WVDNR:

• Life jackets: West Virginia law requires a life jacket in good condition, properly sized and readily available for each person on board. Any child under the age of 13, including infants, must wear a PFD while the vessel is underway (opens in a new tab). Boats 16 feet and longer also need a throwable device.
• Boater education: anyone born on or after December 31, 1986 must complete a NASBLA-approved boater education course before operating a motorboat. Classroom and online courses are listed by WVDNR.

This is a summary, not legal advice. Check WVDNR before you go.

What you can do today

• Wear a life jacket for every river trip, even if you only plan to fish from the bank or wade.
• Check river levels the day you go, and skip high, fast water.
• Keep alcohol off the water.
• Put a properly fitted life jacket on every child under 13, including babies.
• Take the boater education course if you were born on or after December 31, 1986.